Does it seem like every December 24^th you are still at the stores looking for the perfect gift for Aunt Ethel? And undoubtedly, if you can actually find it, the price is a lot more than you were planning to spend.

Waiting to shop at the last minute is just asking for extra stress and an opportunity to spend more money than what you had budgeted. To avoid this from happening, you need to make a plan.

Do what Santa does: make a list and check it twice.

This way you can be sure that you haven't neglected someone, and also that you aren't buying extra gifts “just in case.”Keep your list handy—add it to your phone, or keep it in your car so that you have it on hand when you're shopping in a store or online.

If you're planning to make presents, be sure to give yourself adequate time to buy any supplies you need as well as time to be able to create the gifts.

Decide how much money you would like to spend on gifts this year. Ideally you should give yourself several months, so by spending the money over that time you won't feel a big crunch at the end of the year.

If you are shopping online, use a prepaid card with a set amount to avoid overspending.

If you are in a store, only bring a limited amount of cash.

 A little time spent on planning your gift buying, can help you avoid blowing your budget, and lessen your holiday stress.

Is it possible to make it from Halloween to New Year's Day without gaining weight? If this is a time of temptations for you, here are some tips on making healthy choices and avoiding weight gain:

• Fill up with a couple of glasses of water before eating. Use small plates and skinny glasses, so that you'll eat and drink smaller portions. To avoid a second helping, pop a sugar-free mint in your mouth.
• Put some distance between your weaknesses and yourself. If you're shopping, plan a route avoiding the mall's food court. At parties, make sure you stand out of reach of the chips and dip.
• Eat a light healthy meal before parties, then just sample at the main event.
• When choosing your food, try to fill your plate with a variety of colors and textures, to be sure that you're eating healthy fruits and vegetables.
• Don't let food be your focus at events. Pay attention to the conversation, get involved with party games, take photos, or sing carols—have a good time at the party and make some wonderful memories.
• Sneak in as much physical activity as you can. The holidays can be a stressful time, but exercising can help relieve that stress. Park farther from the store's entrance when shopping, and use stairs instead of elevators or escalators. Even doing your Christmas baking can burn some calories—make a few extra cookies, and burn more calories walking them over to your neighbor's house.

Remember: the holidays aren't just about food. A few healthy choices now can mean more holidays to spend with your family and friends in the years to come.

Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? How is it spelled anyway? For the answer to this and other burning (no pun intended) questions—read on! 

The reason you so often see varied spellings of Hanukkah is because it's an anglicized spelling of a Hebrew word—khanuká, meaning ‘dedication.’ So you may see Hanukka, Channuka or Khanukah or any number of alternate versions.

So how did Hanukkah get started? Long ago, a small band of Jews fought against the great Greek armies in an effort to regain their religious freedom. Once the battle had been won, they wanted to rededicate their temple. To their dismay, they found most of the oil needed for the menorah (candelabrum) had been defiled by the Greeks. There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet it burned for eight days—the time that was needed to prepare a new supply of oil for the menorah. An eight-day festival—Hanukkah, was declared to commemorate this miracle.

The menorah used to celebrate Hanukkah is not the usual seven-branched candelabrum. The chanukkiyah has nine branches. On each night of Hanukkah, a new candle is lit—to be burned for half an hour or until the candle burns out—from the candle in the ninth holder, called the shamash.

While it seems like the date for Hannukah changes every year, it's actually held on the same day—on the Hebrew calendar. The eight-day holiday starts on the 25th day of Kislev, which can occur anytime from late November to late December.

There are many more facts and trivia about Hanukkah. Even though it’s often associated with Christmas because of the commonality of season and gifts for children, Hanukkah is not the Jewish version of Christmas. For more information about Hanukkah as well as some of the delicious foods associated with the celebration, check out these videos at History.com.

Thanksgiving is a holiday for celebrating family and friends, and for giving thanks for the good things in life. Some people are comfortable expressing gratitude year-round, but if you find you only think about being thankful during Thanksgiving, read on for some things to consider.

It's good for you.

Feeling and expressing appreciation can boost your physical, mental, and emotional health. Simply saying “thank you” more often can make both you and the recipient happier.

It's not just about the things.

Material things aren't the only things you should be grateful for. Think of qualities of the people who surround you and who make your life richer: thoughtfulness, kindness, compassion, humor, responsibility, loyalty, friendship, honesty, patience, wisdom, and tolerance, to name a few.

There's nothing wrong with being thankful for material things, particularly those things that make our lives easier, and help keep us safe and healthy. Just think where we might be without modern medicine or modern plumbing, and how much easier it is to have access to information and others with computers and cell phones.

There are many reasons to be thankful.

Even without modern conveniences, it's enough to be thankful to be living on a planet that provides us with everything we need to survive—water, air, plants—as well as marvels like vast oceans and beautiful mountain scenery.

Lastly, don't forget to be thankful for the things that make your heart sing: art, music, books, laughter, your favorite ice cream, a pet's unconditional love, great memories, and hugs.

Have you started to make your own list? Post it somewhere you’ll see it every day.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could toss extra pounds we've gained over the holidays in the trash along with the Thanksgiving turkey carcass? If only we could take off the weight as easily as we can take down the decorations!

The easiest way to lose weight after the holidays is to avoid putting it on in the first place. “Easy??!!” you ask. “But—but--pumpkin pie! Grandma's fudge! And Mom's wonderful lumpy mashed potatoes!!!” So how can you have your cakes (and pies, and other treats) and eat them too?

1. Weigh yourself more often. Keep a closer eye on that bottom line and you won't be as tempted to make your bottom bigger!
2. Avoid large meals late at night and get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep is related to weight gain.
3. Between office parties and family celebrations, there are plenty of opportunities to blow a diet. Bring your own healthy contribution to the meal. And don’t arrive hungry - have a glass of water and a healthy snack before you leave home.
4. Limit your TV watching. Those favorite holiday movies may cause unnecessary mindless snacking, and those food commercials don't help.
5. If you're being tempted by larger portions by a family member, ask to take a plate home for later and promptly freeze it. Same thing with leftovers at your house—freeze it so you won't be tempted. It'll be there later.

Most of all: focus on the fun, not the food, during the festivities. Pay attention to the conversations, take photos, play games, sing, dance—just enjoy yourself!

November 11th is Veterans Day, a day to honor and give thanks to all those who are serving and have served in the US Armed Forces. Are you looking for some ideas on how to ensure the veterans in your community know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made to keep our country free?

Stand and cheer! Many towns organize parades or other events for Veterans Day. Here is some information you should know:

• Vetfriends provides parade locations listed by state. For more information, contact your local VA and inquire about local events.  If all else fails, look at your community's event calendar, or simply ask on Facebook—someone is bound to know!
• Wave the red, white and blue. If you're displaying the flag outside, make sure it's done right—on a pole. The blue field (or “union”) belongs at the top, near the staff.
• Do not wear the flag as part of a costume. Military personnel, police, firefighters and military organizations may wear the flag on their uniform.
• If you are wearing a flag lapel pin, it should be worn on the left, near the heart.

Don't forget that some restaurants and businesses in your town may offer freebies or other discounts to vets on Veterans Day—be sure to frequent these businesses to show your support, and if you run into a veteran on November 11th—or any other day—take a moment to thank him or her for their service.